PH, New Zealand to sign enhanced defense agreements by end of 2024

President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at Malacañang during an arrival honors ceremony on Thursday, April 18,2024. Luxon will be in the country until April 20, 2024 for an official visit. PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING/ PPA POOL

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and New Zealand are set to sign enhanced defense agreements by the end of 2024, according to a joint statement between the two countries on Thursday.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christoper Luxon met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace during the former’s three day official visit in the country. Following a bilateral meeting, the two leaders agreed on enhancing defense cooperation.

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“They committed to maintaining and strengthening defense engagements while exploring new frameworks of cooperation to deepen defense ties. Both sides committed to the signing of a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement (MLSA) by the end of 2024, and to concluding a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA),” read a joint statement between the two governments.

The MLSA will improve defense logistics between the two countries while the SOVFA is meant to enhance defense cooperation.

Marcos has been collecting international allies amid the Philippines’ territorial row with China over the West Philippine Sea, the area in the South China Sea that belongs to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

New Zealand joins the list of countries who are concerned with the South China Sea dispute.

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“On the South China Sea, President Marcos and Prime Minister Luxon expressed shared serious concern over recent development,” the joint statement said.

In April, Marcos concluded a landmark trilateral summit with Japan and the US, where the South China Sea row was discussed.